Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina - President, African Development Bank Group

About Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina

Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina is a distinguished Investment & Finance leader based in Ibadan, Nigeria.Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina (born February 6, 1960 in Ibadan, Nigeria) is a development economist and finance leader who served as President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) from 1 September 2015 to 1 September 2025 (two terms). He previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (2011–2015), where he introduced the electronic wallet (e-wallet) for fertilizer/subsidy delivery and large-scale input distribution reforms. Before his ministerial appointment he was Vice President for Policy and Partnerships at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and held senior roles at the Rockefeller Foundation. At the AfDB he launched and championed the “High 5” development priorities (Light Up Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, Improve the Quality of Life for Africans) and led major capital-raising, infrastructure and agriculture financing initiatives across the continent.

Investment & Finance Expert in Ibadan

As a leading Investment & Finance professional in Ibadan, Nigeria,Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina has made significant contributions to the field.

Achievements and Awards

• World Food Prize Laureate - 2017: Awarded the World Food Prize for breakthrough achievements in agricultural transformation and leadership.
• President, African Development Bank Group - 2015 (elected) / re-elected 2020: Elected 28 May 2015 (took office 1 Sep 2015), re-elected unanimously 27 Aug 2020 for a second five-year term.
• Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria - 2011–2015: Implemented the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) / electronic wallet programme delivering subsidised inputs to millions of farmers.
• Forbes Africa Selected Recognition - 2019: Recognised in major African leadership lists for development finance and agriculture.
• Multiple Honorary Doctorates & International Honors - : Recipient of numerous honorary degrees and international awards for leadership in agriculture, development finance and food security.

Professional Experience

• President & Chair (Boards of Directors) at African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (2015–2025): Led the multilateral development bank focused on financing infrastructure, energy, agriculture, private sector growth and governance across Africa, championed the High 5 priorities and mobilised large investment commitments through the Africa Investment Forum.
• Minister at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria (2011–2015): Implemented agricultural reform (including GES / e-wallet subsidy reforms) and expanded support to smallholder farmers.
• Vice President, Policy & Partnerships at Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) (c. 2008–2010): Led policy, partnership and finance initiatives to leverage bank and private sector financing for African agriculture.
• Senior program roles (Food Security) at The Rockefeller Foundation (1990s–2008 (senior roles over a decade)): Senior positions in food security and program leadership prior to AGRA and public service.

Publications and Research

• The High 5s: AfDB Strategic Priorities (Light Up Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, Improve Quality of Life) - African Development Bank Group, 2015

Media Appearances

• AfDB biography / profile interview - African Development Bank (official),
• World Food Prize Laureate profile - World Food Prize Foundation, 2017

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